Building a Gaming Rig - Bring on the Advise

[TofuShop]

I have built previous computers but I do this every single time before I make the final purchase. I may just simply settle on this final build, but I would like to know the opinions and suggesitons of those who have a greater expertise in this area. I am not tech level high so some help would be welcome.

 

The budget is $1500 USD or $1,154.80 EUR. This is my max budget but I would prefer it to be more around $1000-1100 or $769.841-846.914 EUR.

 

My last build was an Intel Quad-Core so I am going AMD this time around. While Intel has not given me problems, the final build will be AMD. The main concern(s) I have with this build is the OS. While anyone could read the reviews and so fourth, comments from those who actually use Vista now or have previously would be preferd. XP is a sound choice obviously, but I would rather try Vista out on this one.

 

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The build(links to hardware included):

 

Case: Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

 

CPU: AMD Phenom 9850 BLACK EDITION 2.5GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103249

 

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3HP AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128373

 

Video Card: GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

 

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

Memory Ram: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) x2 = (8GB Total)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

 

Fan&Heatsink: ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

 

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

 

Monitor: ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

 

Mouse: Logitech MX518

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178

 

Keyboard: Saitek PZ30AU Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175103

 

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This build here is roughly $1350 but it is obvious I could go without some things or add on if I please. The main reason why I want Vista 64 is partly because I hear it is great with gaming and two, the system can recognise 8 gigs of RAM. My intel only recognises 3.5 obviously because of my 32-bit XP, but for osme reason it seems as though my comp eats away at my RAM. 30-50% is always in use and I am getting a bit tired of it.

 

Questions: What can I run and what can I not with Vista 64. Is anyone using it now and how well? Any suggestions on the build, is everything compatable, what would you do if you were tweaking my build?

 

All are welcome and thankyou for your help.

[Daze]

 

Questions: What can I run and what can I not with Vista 64. Is anyone using it now and how well? Any suggestions on the build, is everything compatible, what would you do if you were tweaking my build?

 

First off, nice choices. from looking at each link everything seems to be compatible. I have both the GPU & HD and I can say they both run really well.

 

As for compatibility, driver wise, you need to do research on any special hardware/software that you have. The information should be simple to find, for instance when there's a download link it should say what it's compatible with I.E x86/x64.

 

Apart from that it's all smooth sailing.

[Mystique]

i actually think its the same motherboard as i have in my case right now.. my hd is also a western digital caviar, only its a 750gb instead of a 640gb

[TofuShop]

First off, nice choices. from looking at each link everything seems to be compatible. I have both the GPU & HD and I can say they both run really well.

 

As for compatibility, driver wise, you need to do research on any special hardware/software that you have. The information should be simple to find, for instance when there's a download link it should say what it's compatible with I.E x86/x64.

 

Apart from that it's all smooth sailing.

 

I heard with Vista 64 bit you can also add another OS to your system such as Windows XP to fill in any of the gaps Vista 64 can't accomidate. If need be, can I keep the Vista 64 add XP 32 pro in order to dual, and run any other applications that 64 isn't compatible with? I heard something along those lines but still, difficult for me to find the information.

 

i actually think its the same motherboard as i have in my case right now.. my hd is also a western digital caviar, only its a 750gb instead of a 640gb

 

Yeah the hard drive isn't bad for the price and main reason why I am picking it up. I do more than just game on my comps and enjoy downloading movies, television shows, etc. I have a 350GB internal with external enclosure, so I may just pop that into the machine as well when I use up the 650 in a month or so.

 

 

- Also, on a side note. Mystique's rig kinda reminnded me of creating a "real" gaming rig as some may call it. While the Phenom Quad-core is nice, I don't overclock and never will so the speed will continue to stay around 2.5. I have heard that pure power is better for games and while I do other things on my computer besides playing games, they aren't high end graphic designs, photoshop, or anything that requires a huge amount of multi processing power. Should I still stick with the Quad, or think about going to a core 2 duo?

[Daze]

I heard with Vista 64 bit you can also add another OS to your system such as Windows XP to fill in any of the gaps Vista 64 can't accomidate. If need be, can I keep the Vista 64 add XP 32 pro in order to dual, and run any other applications that 64 isn't compatible with? I heard something along those lines but still, difficult for me to find the information.

 

 

 

 

There's this program called Virtual PC from Microsoft. It basically allows you to run multiple OS on one drive, It's a handy free product. Could be of some use if you ever do find an issue doing something impaticular.

 

You need to get the ISO. images though, I'm not quite sure where you can get them from, ask Astrum or Zero001.

[Smallsasaurus]

Unless you are absolutely sold on that case, I would recommend downgrading it and using the money you saved elsewhere. You can get great cases for $100 instead of $200 and use the extra $100 to get yourself a better CPU or a better Video Card, both which will actually be performance you'll feel.

 

Stick with the Quad Core, as Quads will still be relevant in 2-3 years as more programs take advantage of multi-threading, where as Duo Cores will become increasing obsolete. Although, you can get fast Duos right now for cheap and always upgrade to a Quad in a year or two for a bargain price if you want, and use that extra cash now for a better video card.

 

Also, for whatever reason right now, I'm not a fan of the 9 series video cards. I would either save $70 and get a 8800GT, spend about the same and get a ATI 4850, or spend $70 more and get the GTX 260.

 

Also, OC'ing is really safe if you do it at low to moderate levels and its kind of silly not to do it. It's a free $50 upgrade.

[TofuShop]

There's this program called Virtual PC from Microsoft. It basically allows you to run multiple OS on one drive, It's a handy free product. Could be of some use if you ever do find an issue doing something impaticular.

 

I actually just meant running things like CSS and WOW and any of the programs and applications I already have on my computer that XP 32 runs. I had trouble getting drivers or anything really on the XP 64 bit, so I was wondering if I will have the same problems with Vista 64 (keep in mind im a noob with tech so the problems I had with XP 64 could have probably been easily solved).

 

Unless you are absolutely sold on that case, I would recommend downgrading it and using the money you saved elsewhere. You can get great ...better CPU or a better Video Card, both which will actually be performance you'll feel.

 

I was actually kicking that case around as the max. While it is nice considering the room, ventillation, and being an easy clean, I was first thinking of getting something around 75$. Do you have anything in mind; something with a bit of storage and ventillation?

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I was thinking something like this case first. XCLIO A380BK Fully Black SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103010

 

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Also, when you say a better CPU, I thought the Phenom 9850 was the best Quad on the market aside from Intel and the Phenom II which is suppose to appear next month? I am still new to AMD so what would prob be the next best thing?

 

Also, for whatever reason right now, I'm not a fan of the 9 series video cards. I would either save $70 and get a 8800GT, spend about the same and get a ATI 4850, or spend $70 more and get the GTX 260.

 

I am not huge on the 9 series myself actually, but I have an 8800GTS superclocked version right now and I am not that fond of it. I have thought about downgrading and upgrading, but while I do want a future proof comp easily upgradable, I don't want to be overly excessive. As of right now I can run Crysis max with the 8800, but such as Crysis, games are becomming more flash than bang for your buck. The only reason why I have been buying high graphic games such as Crysis was merely to test out the hardware. Isn't there that crossfire SLI thing still? I don't know if it can utilize the vards to their full potential yet, but I expect it should soon down the road right?

 

Also, OC'ing is really safe if you do it at low to moderate levels and its kind of silly not to do it. It's a free $50 upgrade.

 

I have thought about OC, don't get me wrong. I like the idea, I know it is a lot safer to do, but OC still dwindles the lifespan, even if it is tiny. I expect I will be tweaking this comp through the years, but idk, I don't like risking expensive hardware, especially since I wouldn't know where to begin really.

[Smallsasaurus]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 (also, I just noticed this case currently can be combo'ed with the AMD 9950 for a pretty good deal. Scratch that, an awesome deal. $200 for both the case and a better CPU then you had picked out for the price of just your previous case).

 

The case you first thought of and both of these are solid cases for about $90 cheaper. Although the two I posted are Mid-towers, which isn't a bad thing, just smaller and a little tighter to maneuver in, but they both have good airflow.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471

 

Newer AMD CPU's, but to be honest I don't know much about AMD chips. It's about $90 dollars more for a 3.0 GHz Quad core, so the money you save from the case could go into this.

 

 

Based on the motherboard you have picked out, you couldn't run SLI, which is only available on nVidia based motherboards, but you could run X-fire, which would involve linking multiple ATI cards together and also your MoBo only has one slot running at full PCI-e X16, so the link wouldn't entirely be worth it. And unless you have either a huge monitor (24" or larger) or are running multiple screens, there isn't much benefit. With one normal sized screen you are better off getting one good video card then buying two and running them in X-fire.

 

I'm not entirely sure how flexible or crazy you are willing to go, but either the 4870 X2 or the GTX 295 are the top video cards out right now, but they'll cost you $400 and $500, respectively, so probably not worth it at the time being.

 

The regular 4870 or a GTX 260 will run you a little over 200 and are comparable in stats are are definitely an upgrade from you 8800GTS, which I actually have right now and love, so I'm sorry you haven't been a fan of it.

 

And here is one of the articles that first got me into Overclocking. http://www.maximumpc.com/article/overclock_your_pc

It's a pretty good read and talks you through it in baby steps. Also, there is the potential for it to lessen your CPU's life, but that's usually only the case if you begin to play with the voltages. As long as you only go as far as the CPU will without messing with the voltages and you have sufficient cooling to keep it at normal temps, there is little risk. But don't let me convince you, because I would hate to talk you into it just to have your CPU crap out. I'd feel like a pretty big dick after that.

 

 

One last thing:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365

That's a GTX 280 for $300, plus if you include the $200 case/CPU combo that's $500, which is what your were going to spend for your Case, CPU, and Video card above. The case is a smaller/lower end Antec, but the trade off is you upgrade your CPU and Video card.

 

As you can see, the GTX 280 is pretty bangin': http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/chart.html

[TofuShop]

That case CPU combo is a ridiculous deal. I didn't even see that and it certainly is one hell of a price. I decided I was going to go with that and the ATI 4850 that you pointed out. So far it has saved me a nice bit of cash.

 

What are your thoughts on the OS Small?I want more RAM, but it has been difficult trying to find out the right OS to do the job. I have the XP Pro 64 sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust and I would really like pulling that down. As I said before tho, I tried using this bout 1.5 years ago and nothing seemed to work properly. Have you heard of anything recently?

[PotshotPolka]

A warning on Antec cases: Very sturdy, well built, well ventilated case. I have an Antec 900 and I love it. Down side however is that the power supply is located at the bottom of the cases, and how most motherboards sit, blows hot air directly onto your videocard 1-3 inches away depending on your slot, and makes crossfiring/SLI a dubious choice later.

 

Also, I suggest a modular powersupply if you use that case, just because I assure you that you will regret having so many un used power cables bundled up in your case.